What if my pilot light won t light?
What if my pilot light won t light?
If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.
Why wont my pilot light on my hot water heater?
The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple.
How to tell if I have a bad thermocouple?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
What does it mean when your pilot light is not working?
Pilot light problems that require professional attention. Inefficient function. If your pilot light is burning but has a weak, yellow flame, it is not working efficiently enough. The pilot light flame should be blue, slightly tinged with yellow only at the tip — a sign there is enough heat to warm your water or your home.
What makes a pilot light go out on a gas furnace?
A modern gas furnace usually has an electronic spark generator to ignite the gas when the thermostat calls for heat. An older gas furnace has a standing pilot that stays on all the time — or at least, it’s supposed to. A number of things can make an old furnace pilot light go out, including a strong draft, a faulty thermocouple or a loss of gas.
Why does my pilot light have a yellow flame?
If your pilot light is burning but has a weak, yellow flame, it is not working efficiently enough. The pilot light flame should be blue, slightly tinged with yellow only at the tip — a sign there is enough heat to warm your water or your home.
What should the pilot flame be on a propane tank?
Important: Before troubleshooting the pilot light, keep in mind that a pilot flame is always ON and the flame should be blue. If it is yellow, it needs an adjustment. Make sure that the tank is completely filled with water before lighting the pilot light.
Can a gas oven pilot light be relighted?
Keep reading for the steps to follow in relighting pilot lights in a gas furnace, water heater, oven, or stove. One caveat, however: If you detect the strong smell of natural gas, do not attempt to light the pilot. Instead, leave the house and call your local gas company or 911.
Can a gas fireplace pilot light be blocked?
If you find that you need to frequently light the pilot, the pilot tube may be blocked with debris so be sure to clean the end of the tube with a pin. If the pilot is particularly hard to start, and you begin to smell gas, stop and wait for the gas to disperse before trying again.
What happens when there is no pilot light on a gas heater?
If there is no pilot light or is blown out, the tip of the thermocouple cools off and stops generating electricity so the gas valve closes and the unit shuts off. Every gas appliance is equipped with similar safety devices, prevent gas leaking inside the house.
What to do if you have the wrong pilot light?
If you have the wrong pilot burner replace it with the correct one. Important: Before troubleshooting the pilot light, keep in mind that a pilot flame is always ON and the flame should be blue. If it is yellow, it needs an adjustment. Make sure that the tank is completely filled with water before lighting the pilot light.
